Here's why BA.2 should be designated a VOC. While BA.2 is a sub-lineage of omicron, it's more different genetically to BA.1 than the other VOCs were from each other. It has a 2x greater rate of growth/wk than BA.2 in England & is growing towards dominance.🧵
It has ~40% higher Rt than BA.1 (due to ⬆️transmissibility or escape or both), has been doubling relative to BA.2 each week in England and has a serial interval shorter than BA.1 by half a day (making it even harder to contain).
Early lab data suggests it may be more pathogenic (higher syncitia formation), and potentially some escape from those infected with BA.1, especially if unvaccinated/unexposed previously. Evidence here: https://t.co/VHVi1p1Mao
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl…
In the midst of this, our govt appears to have made a decision to halt free testing for the majority, and self-isolation for all. It was never a question of *if a VOC emerges*. We have one now, and it is growing in the UK, and globally.
